Japan’s semiconductor companies are expanding equipment, materials, technology and training ties with India as the country builds its chip manufacturing ecosystem and addresses supplier and skills gaps.
Japanese semiconductor-linked companies are expanding their presence in India as the country’s push to build a domestic chip ecosystem creates demand for equipment, materials, production technology and skilled engineers.
More than 30 Japanese companies participated in SEMICON India 2026 in New Delhi from September 17 to 19. Around 200 Indian and Japanese industry representatives also discussed technology partnerships, resilient equipment and materials supply chains, and R&D.
India is developing capabilities spanning semiconductor materials, design, fabrication, packaging and testing, but industry executives cite shortages of specialised suppliers and skilled workers as key challenges. The government is moving into the second phase of its semiconductor programme, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledging to raise support to about $13.5 billion from roughly $8 billion. The first phase approved 12 manufacturing and packaging projects.
India-Japan cooperation is also gaining government backing, with Japanese companies concluding about 120 cooperation memorandums involving investments of 2 trillion yen ($12.7 billion).
Suchi Semicon is working with Japanese equipment and materials suppliers. “We are working with a lot of equipment and material vendors from Japan,” said Shetal Mehta, Director, Suchi Semicon.
Fujifilm will develop and supply advanced semiconductor materials for Tata Electronics, while Sumitomo Chemical is considering a materials supply-chain tie-up and Enomoto will provide production technology support.
Tokyo Electron plans to establish a Gujarat training centre in 2027 with the Japanese government to develop semiconductor equipment engineers. US companies Applied Materials and Lam Research have also announced major India investments, while South Korean Hae Kwang reports rising demand.
